Chargers Troll Patriots Over Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini Controversy in Schedule Release Video
One of the New England Patriots' biggest AFC rivals couldn't help but throw shade at Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini over their 2026 NFL schedule video.
Every year, the Los Angeles Chargers make a creative video to highlight each of their opponents in the regular season. This year, the AFC West club went with a Halo theme for their social media video.
The Chargers will host the Patriots on Sunday Night Football in Week 12, a rematch of last season's Wild Card Round. In their schedule release video, the Bolts poked fun at Vrabel and Russini (beginning at the 3:30 mark).
should we REALLY make our schedule release video in halo?
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) May 14, 2026
yes yes yesyes
yesyes yes yes yes
yes yes yes yes yes
yes yesyes yes yes
yes yesye yes yes
yes yes yesyes pic.twitter.com/eusK9QmNGd
The "Nothing to see here" note is a humorous reference to the Patriots' 16-3 win over Los Angeles in the Wild Card Round. The "NEXT PHOTO DUMP 1 MILE" sign and the "message" from the New York Post are obvious shots at the Vrabel-Russini scandal.
Last month, Page Six (the gossip column of the New York Post) released photos of Russini and Vrabel hanging out together at an adults-only hotel in Sedona, Arizona. Russini subsequently resigned from her position as an NFL insider at The Athletic, and Vrabel skipped day three of the 2026 NFL Draft to attend counseling.
The Patriots may not be reprimanding Vrabel, but that doesn't mean rival clubs will let the Russini controversy go.
Chargers Look for a Rare Win Over Patriots
The Patriots-Chargers rivalry has been completely lopsided in favor of New England since 2006. Tom Brady's Pats eliminated the Bolts in the 2006, 2007 and 2018 playoffs. In January, Drake Maye led New England to an easy victory over Los Angeles.
Since 2006, the Chargers have only beaten New England three times. They beat the Patriots, without Tom Brady, in the 2008 season. Los Angeles also cruised to victories over non-competitive Patriots in the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
New England has owned the Chargers over the past two decades, but we'll see if Herbert and company can flip the script when they meet in Week 12.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the Sports section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 7:50 PM.